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Last week, a mother and daughter from Maryland were killed in a Washington County, Pennsylvania truck accident. The accident occurred on Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania. The accident occurred at 11:30 a.m., when a truck crossed the median and struck the women’s car which was sent through a guardrail and down a hill. According to online news reports, the truck driver was arrested and charged with their deaths. *Source: www.somdnews.com.
Two Factors Which Contribute to Truck Accidents: Exhaustion and Substance Abuse
Truck Driver Exhaustion is Likely to Lead to Accidents
Truck accidents are inclined to occur during the morning, when drivers who have been up all night succumb to exhaustion. Slower reaction times, fatigue and falling asleep may cause a truck driver to veer from his or her lane of travel, striking other cars. The results are often fatal.
Truck Driver Substance Abuse Also Leads to Accidents
Others may use illegal substances to help stay awake, which leads to increased errors in judgement and slower reaction times. For instance, methamphetamine use is common among truck drivers. Again, like with exhaustion, truck drivers who are under the influence make errors, such as failing to stop at lights, excessive speeding, etc. Read free legal article: Proving Intoxication in a Pennsylvania Truck Accident.
Other Factors in a Truck Accident
Another factor in a truck accident which is often overlooked, especially in truck accidents that occur in inclement weather conditions, is whether a road defect contributed to the accident. For instance, in wet weather conditions, a truck may hydroplane due to excessive water accumulation on the roadway surface. Instead of being investigated, hydroplaning may be ignored and instead, a truck driver’s exhaustion blamed for the accident. In fatal truck accident cases, it is important that all avenues of recovery are examined, including roadway defect issues.
Related Pennsylvania Car & Truck Accident Legal Articles:
- Common Claims Made in a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Trucking Accident Update: Truck Driver Rule Changes
Pennsylvania Car & Truck Accident Lawyer
For more information, contact our Pennsylvania car and truck accident lawyers. Our attorneys serve car and truck accident victims in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; he County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states on a case by case basis.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
